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Is Africa ready for GM? 27 November 2013
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Even as food insecurity continues to afflict impoverished and disaster-affected populations around the continent, African policymakers and consumers remain deeply divided over the potential harms and benefits of genetically modified (GM) foods, which advocates say could greatly improve yields and nutrition. http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99218/Is-Africa-ready-for-GM

Senegal on the frontline of the battle with Big Tobacco19 November 2013
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Djité Sekou, 32, smokes as he passes his nights guarding one of the many high-rise apartment buildings in Dakar, Senegal. It has been eight years since his first cigarette - a Monte Carlo from Morocco - and when money is available he goes through 20 to 30 per day. It is an addiction that can cost him up to a quarter of his monthly income.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99154/Senegal-on-the-frontline-of-the-battle-with-Big-Tobacco

Chronic lifestyle diseases strain South Africa’s health system8 November 2013
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The explosive growth of chronic lifestyle diseases in South Africa has put even more strain on a health system already dealing with the double burden of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. The increase in the number of people developing kidney failure - and the high cost of treating it - is just one example of this deadly trend.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99084/Chronic-lifestyle-diseases-strain-South-Africa-s-health-system

A look behind the statistics of South Africa’s rape epidemic1 November 2013
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Johannesburg’s glitzy shopping arcades, restaurants and leafy suburbs have come to represent the confident, successful face of South Africa. But there is also a violence here, underlined by the country’s rape statistics, that unites both the townships of the have-nots and the gated communities of the wealthy.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/99039/A-look-behind-the-statistics-of-South-Africa-s-rape-epidemic

Healthcare in South Africa's Eastern Cape collapses23 September 2013
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If you live in South Africa's Eastern Cape province and cannot afford private healthcare, you have probably experienced what activists recently described as a "broken, inhumane and collapsed" health system, where "accountability is nonexistent".http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98808/Healthcare-in-South-Africa-s-Eastern-Cape-collapses

Analysis: Untangling China's aid to Africa17 September 2013
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This year, the two most powerful men on the globe, presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping, both embarked on Africa tours, pledging to increase aid and investment and work with the continent to improve development.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98771/Analysis-Untangling-China-s-aid-to-Africa

Analysis: Behind China’s aid structure17 September 2013
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China’s role as an aid donor has been met with wariness, both from aid experts and recipients. Confusion over the nature of China’s aid arises because the country uses multiple ministries and agencies to give money, has different strategic priorities than traditional Western donors, and does not release detailed reports about how much aid it provides.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98772/Analysis-Behind-China-s-aid-structure

Fewer infant deaths in a rural South African hospital12 September 2013
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Mothers and children in South Africa are still dying in alarming numbers, and the country is among only a few worldwide where child deaths are rising. But a rural hospital in the Eastern Cape province has managed to drastically reduce infant mortality rates over the past six years, against the backdrop of a health system that is virtually at a standstill.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98738/Fewer-infant-deaths-in-a-rural-South-African-hospital

Loss of refugee status leaves many Angolans undocumented in South Africa10 September 2013
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Many Angolan refugees living in South Africa have been left undocumented after a deadline for the cessation of their refugee status elapsed before they were able to secure immigration permits or exemption decisions.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98724/Loss-of-refugee-status-leaves-many-Angolans-undocumented-in-South-Africa

Rethinking mental health in Africa 2 September 2013
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As African countries strive to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 and plot a new development agenda thereafter, health experts are gathering evidence across the continent to make a case for a greater focus on its millions of mentally ill.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/98680/Rethinking-mental-health-in-Africa